Irreversibility analysis of unsteady couette flow with variable viscosity

This paper investigates numerically the inherent irreversibility in unsteady generalized Couette flow between two parallel plates with variable viscosity. The nonlinear governing equations are derived from the Navier-Stokes equations and solved numerically using a semi-discretization finite difference method together with the Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg integration scheme. The profiles of velocity and the temperature obtained are used to compute the entropy generation number, Bejan number, skin friction and Nusselt number. The effects of embedded parameters on entire flow structure are presented graphically and discussed quantitatively.